Weed Eater suddenly dies while in use

Hello, I was string trimming around a lawn and then suddenly the string trimmer died. I thought i may have accidentally hit the switch but it wasn't't that. After doing some investigation, I have a feeling that the spark plug may have fouled up while in use. I use a shindawia t242.

---------------------------------------------------~ cut it high ~ let it fly ~
---------------------------------------------------Some folks are so contrary that if they fell into a river,
they'd insist on floating upstream.
~ Josh Billings

Yes I did change the spark plug along with the air filter and still nothing. I went down to my local lawn shop and the guy said that it was probably the ignition coil that went out. I ruled out any fuel issues and always make a point to used fresh fuel whenever possible. I know that these days fuel at the pump isn't the greatest with ethanol in it.

Check it for spark. pull the plug out, with it still plugged into the wire. Touch the ground on the plug to anything metal, turn the switch on and pull the cord and see if the plug arcs. It works better at night, so you can see the spark better. I had the same thing happen to me once on an old craftsman weedeater, and i check it that way, and that's how i found it that it was the coil on mine that went bad. It may also be the fuel filter plugged off. also check to make sure the wire on the coil, the wires to the switch, and the wires that connect, right beside where the throttle cable hooks into the carb, and make sure that wire there didn't come loose. On mine, it's just a small wire, with a plastic tube that favors shrink tubing. make sure all of those are plugged in, and that possibly there isn't any rusted connecters. I do know a few people who have had to replace the coils on them. I have a family member who has a shindaiwa 230, or 231, cant remember the exact model, all i am certain is, is that it's blue in color and a shindaiwa (LOL) and his is still going strong after 8 years. nothing but a few new filters and a new spark plug. My main unit is also a 242, and all i've ever had go bad with it, is just the carb go outta adjustment every now and then. I've heard that the coils on the 242 aren't made in japan anymore, like the old one's where. The carbs on the new ones are those junk EPA regulated carbs that are made in the usa or mexico, and they suck. I looked at the new 242's on the shelf of my local store, and all of them now say assembled in usa, while the old 242's, mine included, all say made in japan. i'm guessing the new ones are still japan made parts, but sent here to be put together. sorry to digress. Just curious, but how old is the unit?